Spitfire, Chapter 13: What is love?

After the mishap at dinner; the party was moved into the living room, where everyone spent more time catching up than they did throwing themselves around and spilling water. Ash even seemed to cheer up at the end when they started playing pokePictionary where it was boys vs. girls.

The boys won the first round because Brock and Professor Oak were on their team; Brock knew everything and was an unfair advantage, so the girls demanded that he be referee; thus lining the teams up as followed: Misty, May, Dawn, Serena, Bonnie, and Delia VS. Ash, Drew, Gary, Clemont, Tracey, and Max. Professor Oak was exempt from playing as well, because he was worse than Brock.

Two seconds into seeing a drawing he would announce the answer; unless Ash was drawing who drew shapes and circles; then the girls would score a point—but when Tracey, Drew, or Brock drew on the board; it was an automatic answer. Only growing in frustration as they racked up points. So they won without any of the rest of the team having to really do anything at all. Their over accuracy was absurd and a little bit scary. The second round went to the girls unsurprisingly; two coordinators on their team and quite possibly the most aggressive player right before Ash—Misty, made it where an exaggerate half the list of known pokemon was listed in the blur of 7.6 seconds. Bonnie had counted once or twice how many pokemon Misty was actually listing. The answer: 34 in 7.6 seconds.

Ash tried to say repeating the same 34 pokemon every time was cheating, but Misty returned that Ash was just upset that he couldn't remember34 pokemons' names. In the end, everyone was happy; laughing and enjoying their time together. For a moment, Ash forgot that he was sad, or angry or anything addressed at Misty other than glad that she was around. For a fleeting moment, he even forgot that anything was different in his friend group—in his mind, everyone was ten again, laughing about stupid jokes, and simply having a good time.

It wasn't until Delia tried to get karaoke started that everyone spent more time laughing and sitting around in groups for conversation than they did singing. Ash tried to mingle for a little while, but with the laughs gone, he was exhausted. He hung mostly to the wall, talking with Max for a little while, until Brock took the microphone—possibly dipping into his mothers hidden wine stash again. Unable to handle Brock's belting of absurd tunes, Ash made a retreat to collect his head and put it back on straight. With Pikachu and Piplup being man-handled by his mother, he was safe to flee.

The place he went to relax? The back porch where he approached the railing, and slumped happily over the top of it with an expressive sigh. At least for awhile, he was at total peace. So, when the door creaked open, he knew that he had been followed out; only he knew who it was right away, so Ash didn't bother to turn around. Merely sigh, and let his body slump further onto the railing; his shoulders were low, and his face was leaned into his hand while his elbow rested on the railing. He looked out into the open fields behind his house, and let out a loud, exasperated sigh. It was impossible to get a moment of privacy with this many people—he should have known better.

As he turned to face the music, he thought it was Serena again; but once the constant under-her-breath criticism started, Ash knew right away who it was: Misty. She carried a bottle in one hand, and a fancy glass in the other while stepping out into the brisk outside air.

"Friggin going to kill my ears with—oh." Her green eyes went wide when she saw that she was not alone, and that the eyes returning her surprise were chocolate ones. The awkward silence crept it's way between them while she very awkwardly moved from standing in front of the door to the porch chairs, and plopped down.

There was so much that he wanted to ask her; what had she done the last couple of years, what he should do now that he won, why she threw herself onto the ground and somehow convinced Brock and Gary to do the same at dinner... but mostly Ash just wanted an answer. So, not meaning to stare and gnaw on his lip; wanting to apologize and accuse her all in the same breath; he did the only thing he knew how. He found middle ground.

"Traitor." He muttered the statement much to Misty's surprise, who hopped up from her seat with a glimmer in her eye. She clucked her tongue gently against her front teeth and glared him down; as if asking him what exactly she was a traitor to. He had picked fighting words while he watched her almost-slam the bottle against the wooden, flat railing.

"Rivals are off limits." he declared secondly as if she would understand exactly what that meant, (As if he did) and pursed his lips like a child about to get a scolding. He even dared to narrow his eyes, making him look much younger than he was, and then Misty let him have it—a single punch to the shoulder, followed by a snort-laugh, and a jump from Ash.

"Ouch." He mouthed while rubbing his arm, Misty leaned over the railing, and shook her head.

"You know, I wanted to kill you earlier. Had you reacted like you did a couple of years ago, I just might have." She gestured towards her wrapped hand and then slapped her hands together to emphasize a pummeling. A nervous smile crept across his face, and he tore eye contact away from her to gaze out into his large back yard.

"I know...I acted like an uppity jerk, and I'm sorry. I forget sometimes how abrasive Gary is."

"Oh, you just assume he's being abrasive? What makes you think we're not dating?" Misty toyed, and Ash rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, you have higher standards than him." Ash snorted his response, and Misty chuckled. More like he hoped she had higher standards than him. Further more, why did he care?

"I suppose that's true. But what if we were?"

"I would be a little sad you didn't tell me." Ash said quickly, glaring at Misty; thinking that she wasn't just speaking figuratively.

"Oh, yeah, you mean like how you called and told me that you were dating Serena?" She looked at him sideways, and Ash knew that she was right; so he backed off and rolled his eyes in defeat.

"Touche. But to be fair, that was pretty publicized; I don't know how you could miss it."

"That's not the point!" Misty retorted, a little more boldly than she would have liked. Her tone caught Ash by surprise, and he blinked at her.

"You're that upset about it?" He questioned, and Misty fumbled over her words.

"No, Ash, honestly," She paused, as if rolling the idea around in her head for a moment, trying to decide if it was a good idea to bring the subject up. "I'm upset that you never call—regardless of what it's about. I mean, really; when was the last time we talked before this?"

Guilt washed over Ash's features, and he slumped over the railing slightly, letting his forearms carry his weight. "I guess you're right." He admitted rightfully, something Misty didn't expect to happen so easily. "I'm sorry, Mist. I can only try harder as I progress." He gave her a small,weak smile, and she tilted her head to one side as she finally realized how he had also grown.

"No...I guess it's okay. Good friends can go years without talking, and still be good friends; right?" She pat him on the shoulder reassuringly, and Ash quirked an eyebrow.

"I thought we were 'best' friends? Wasn't that like our terms of agreement?"

"Oh please." Misty shook her head while laughing, as did Ash.

"I'm sorry for never calling—it's not like I don't think about it. I just get so busy on my journeys that I forget. Hell, even my mom goes months without hearing from me."

"Touche." Misty commented swiftly before a silence settled between the two of them—half-made up with one another.

"So...are you two dating?" Ash bravely asked. They were back on that.

"Since I can remember." Misty countered keeping a straight face, though, slightly annoyed that he kept asking. It was like if the words "yes or no" weren't used, Ash didn't understand. Brock was right. The boy needed things spelled out for him in bright, red neon lights. Ash took a step back with his mouth ajar, he was horrified, and hurt, possibly.

"Oh god, don't look at me like that, I'm joking." She waved trying to laugh away the awkwardness, and his face fell again. He leaned against the railing with a pout and glared at her.

"That wasn't funny." He murmured making Misty grin.

"Yes it was, stop trying to be so damn serious, it doesn't suit you." While saying this, she hopped down from the railing, and took one leap to Ash, and frogged him in the shoulder.

Ash yelped once again, reacting by grabbing his arm. "What was that for?!" he cried, holding his aching arm, and Misty stuck her tongue out at him before leaning against the railing herself.

"Kissing doesn't make him my boyfriend—it was forced, any how," She made a look of disgust while glaring out into the trees. "I know I can't break this new 'friend code' that just came out of no where recently or else I'll be burned at the stake."

Ash nodded in response, "Damn right. That would be like me dating one of your sisters." Misty seemed flabbergasted for a moment...did, did he really think there was a friend code? Ash didn't see why there couldn't be. She swallowed hard.

"Oh please do! Stop their persistent nagging that they need a boyfriend!" She whined playfully awhile extending her arms out. She folded her arms over the railing, and then rest her head on it. Ash chuckled at her statement, and the awkwardness was over.

"So you're not dating him?" He asked, tilting his head at her, and Misty shrugged with a loud sigh.

"I'd sooner cut off your left nut."

"Gee... thanks Misty; a simple yes or no would suffice."

But a thought plagued him, he mimicked her position, resting his head on his arms and leaning down. He squint his eyes a little, and messed up his face: "So why'd he kiss you then?"

"No one can resist me. I'm gorgeous," Misty replied quickly, Ash narrowed his eyes at her.

"No, seriously." He questioned, and watched the faintest bit of a blush cover Misty's cheeks, and a slight glare and then watched it disappear as fast as it appeared.

"Because its Gary. He thinks he's privileged. I don't know." she muttered in a serious tone, and Ash would have to accept that for her answer, but he knew deep down, that she didn't tell him the real reason; but if she didn't want to share; he wasn't going to force her. He returned his gaze to the meadow, and sighed.

A comfortable silence enveloped the space between them until Misty stood up, stretching her arms out and turning to lean her back against the railing once again. Ash quickly found himself smiling, and he too stood up, only he rested his waist against the railing and leaned over slightly.

"I was worried that you wouldn't be yourself when we met again." The confession came off his chest like a twenty pound weight, and Misty couldn't help but smile.

"Unfortunately." she replied and Ash gave her a side-ways glance.

"I thought things would be really awkward; I don't know why." This time, Misty looked at Ash with the slightest bit of surprise—maybe, just maybe, somewhere buried deep in his subconscious, Ash had some resurgence of Misty's feelings prior to her leaving the group four years ago. He must have known something, otherwise he would have no reason to think there would be clumsiness. She snickered at this, and shook her head. Misty just had to know the answer to the next question.

"Do you think it's awkward with May? Or Dawn?" Misty spoke quietly, her eyes trained on his profile—his eyes narrowed, and his nose scrunched up as if in deep thought, and this his shoulders lowered in defeat.

"Well, no, I don't think so—I don't even know why it should be awkward, anyways. I don't even know why I got upset or why I couldn't tell the truth about everything to Serena." he admitted, and Misty sighed. He was still a thick skull after all.

"Anyways," Misty added, wanting to change the subject quickly. "You should head back inside, it's not really a party for you unless you're present, you know. I think everyone's still waiting on a toast or something." She shook the wine glass at Ash, "And shouldn't Cilan and Iris be here, soon?" She admit while pushing off from the railing, but Ash quickly grabbed her wrist to keep her there.

"Wait." Ash's voice sounded desperate, and he looked away clumsily, unable to make eye contact with the gym leader. Misty's face flushed in reaction to Ash's touch—and she retracted her hand quickly.

"What?" She gawked, sounding a little too hostile. Ash raised his head to gaze at her, and then he looked away quickly, and turned to the railing again. He tapped his fingers against it; and looked strangely distressed. Whether she wanted to or not, she was roped in.

"What is it?" And so the water pokemon trainer took the bait, and rested her back against the railing, watching Ash closely.

"It's just... err...well, I don't know how to start—it's about Serena." He muttered, stumbling over his words, he was obviously nervous, and this intrigued Misty.

"What about her?" her voice was a little harsh, was that jealousy in her voice?

"Well..I was hoping to talk with Brock about it...but he's been otherwise occupied, and around everyone else." He added, this time, twiddling his fingers—a mischievous gleam appeared in Misty's eyes.

"Are you a pervert?" She asked, and Ash went scarlet and shook his head violently.

"NO! Where did you get that idea?!" He screamed denying her accusation.

"Only a pervert would ask Brock for relationship advice, Ash." Misty crooned, making Ash's blush only grow deeper, his fingers twitched angrily, but she seemed so cool and collected.

"Why...you..I..."he mumbled, all of his nerves going off at once, Misty couldn't contain her laughter.

"You should always come to me first! I'm as noble and generous as they come! And as a romantic, I assume the best protocol." She sang while wiggling her index fingers appropriately, and Ash started to stew.

"About as generous as a charmander's ass." He growled while watching Misty's smile falter completely.

"You're an ass." She replied, and then it was Ash's turn to laugh—it was nice to laugh. Actually laugh.

"No, I'm the idiot remember? That's why I need help in the first place." He pointed at himself expectantly, referring to Misty's previous statement, and she crossed her arms. She wanted to deny his idiocy, but decided against it at the moment.

"What is it then? What's bothering you?" She finally asked, seriously. And why are you bothering with telling me now? Aren't we still like, sort of fighting? She thought but then breathed none-the-wiser. Ash pursed his lips, and returned his eyes to the field.

"Well...Serena..." he muttered, tilting his head to find the appropriate words.

Misty found herself very impatient however—something that surprised her.

"You know, if you're going to talk circles, I can just go and get her?" She suggested, pointing at the door. Ash reacted much like he did when being accused of a pervert, and shook his head violently—only with out the blush.

"Just..Just give me a moment." he called to her, waving his hands. He fumbled, and then twisted his face into something like pain. He looked like he was in physical pain, trying to come up with the proper words, and it was painful to watch. Misty groaned.

"What, are you in love, did you find the one, is that why the perssian's got your tongue?" in the depths of her own core, she could feel pieces of her resolve shattering while she spoke—she didn't want to know the answer; but she couldn't stop herself from asking. She cursed herself for even being in this situation. They were fighting seconds ago! They were not supposed to be having this conversation. But she was also curious; and was like a piece of her would heal if he could just answer the question.

Ash's blush intensified, and he retracted his arms to his chest, and coiled his shoulders. "Do you have to be so blunt with those words?"

Misty's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "So you are?"

"No!" he called quickly, meeting her eyes, and then he grabbed his face immediately after.

"No?" Misty responded, the pitch of her voice rising. So much for healing; her heart was racing.

"Well," Ash sighed, and let his arms fall to his sides—he leaned his body against the railing and gave a long sigh. "I don't know. That's why I need help." he whined.

Maybe it was the selfishness that the red-head would probably never lose, but she felt a sense of alleviation wash over her—making her own mind tick in ways she didn't know that it could anymore, and her chest suddenly felt elated. She, too, sighed, but while Ash's was writhed in confusion, hers was one of relief.

Upon not hearing her immediate reaction, Ash curled up more, and covered his face with his hands. "It's killing me inside. I've never done anything like this—felt anything like this, and I'm going crazy! I can't stop thinking about the kiss at the championship—and when she kisses me it's just awkward because I don't know what to do with myself when she's being all lovey-"

"I'm going to stop you there to save myself from puking up dinner." Misty chimed in, placing a heavy hand on Ash's back to sooth him, and shut him up. He was talking too fast, and Misty could barely make out what he was saying.

"So you're confused, that's normal." she was concerned, but then her smile turned up, and she covered her mouth slightly with a coy giggle. "Ash likes a giiiirl. What happened to all that talk about girls having cooties?" She giggled shamelessly, but her joke was enough to make Ash's jaw hit the ground and pull him back into sanity.

"Can we please be serious!?" He cried, blushing once again off the charts. Misty snickered, and then slapped him on the back.

"Okay, fine." She mumbled and then put her hands on the railing. "It sounds like you aren't sure about your feelings. You like her, obviously, but you're unsure?" Misty wasn't trying to undermine Serena—she knew how bad this looked—and how bad it sounded, but she only wanted to help. She just hoped that this was the step in the right direction. Maybe if she could get Ash to have some clarity; he could better end the issues he's created with other girls.

Ash looked at her, confused. "You got that from what I said?" He tapped his chin, "That sounds about right, though."

Once again, Misty pressed, "You're still growing up—and romance has never been something on your mind before; so you're probably feeling guilty, right?" She deduced, and Ash nodded.

"Also correct."

"As of late, you've been chasing your dreams, and the last thing you've thought about is whether or not you want a girlfriend."

"Right." Ash looked at Misty, wondering where she was taking the conversation. Misty looked nervous, she was tapping her foot, looking hard at her fingers while racking her brain. She was in deep thought! She must have had some huge reveal that would allow Ash the understanding that he needed to get out of the mess he was in.

"So, when she kissed you—" She inhaled bravely "All those pint up emotions over the years released inside of you! And you realized how deep and passionate your love was!" Her facade changed completely, from that of a serious wise guru, to an innocent child searching for answers with stars sparkling in her eyes. She as an overly-romantic, even now. So, Ash's face fell into his hands.

"Not exactly." He groaned, for a minute there, he really thought Misty had the answer he was looking for—but she was just as lost as he was—or so he thought. "More like I felt confused, and had rocks in my gut."

If Ash wasn't joking, what he was saying really bothered him—and it was time for Misty regardless of her own mix of feelings were telling her, to be serious. She let out a nervous chuckle. The things she did for her friends..

"Okay, joking aside; let's figure this out by process of elimination." She looked at him from the corner of her eye, and he looked back sadly.

"What do you like about her?" Misty's voice stung him, and he blushed, blinking up at her.

"What?" He asked, as if his tongue was sliced open—he couldn't answer that, it was too embarrassing; but Misty read his expression quickly.

"Ash, if you can kiss a girl, you can sure as hell say what you like about her." She quipped, pursing her lips, but Ash fidgeted.

"I have not kissed her." He whined, "She's the one kissing me." He denied truthfully, and Misty blew out a light whistle. His eyes were slanted in hopelessness, and Misty had to pat him on the head to pass her hurdle. She was such a good friend to put Ash's emotions before her own. It would have been way too easy to take advantage of his innocent nature—but Misty couldn't do that, she could never do that. Instead, she exhaled.

"Okay, so you haven't kissed her—but let's talk like adults now, Ash. No more whining."

Ash scoffed, "What kind of saying is that?"

"It's a thing I do, because when conversations get awkward, I regress and start acting like a kid. Thus how I've been acting up until now. It's easier to make a joke out of things that make us uncomfortable than it is to face them head on."

Ash grins at her "I'm guilty of that, too."

"I think we are all when we're forced into a situation that we don't want to be in." She spoke sadly, referring to herself; and possibly her actions previously, but hoped Ash wouldn't catch on—unfortunately, he did.

"We don't have to talk about this if you don't want to." He assured her but was unsure of why he was telling her this. Why would this make Misty feel uncomfortable? She usually relished in stuff about romance; but Misty shook her head.

"No, I want to help." She gave him a gentle smile, and Ash returned it with a grateful smile.

So, before the cold grasp of silence could grab onto them, Misty started.

"So, why haven't you kissed her?" She asked blandly, but was met with a shoulder shrug. Ash honestly didn't know. It was awkward and he never felt like there was a time or a place to do it. Usually Serena would approach him when no one else was around and she took control of the situation.

"I'm not sure..." he admit, and so Misty nodded.

"but you feel like she's the one kissing you; not in a we format, you aren't kissing her back?" Ash's face stained red, and he touched his lips nervously; he did not want to talk about this.

"Could we talk about not kissing?" He managed, causing Misty to sigh.

"Fine, then answer my previous question; what do you like about her?"

He paused for only a moment: "I guess...I like the way she cheers me on in battle, and the way she's really nice to me." He paused between each of his stated likes, as if he had a hard time talking about them, or thinking about them. "She's a good pokemon trainer—she's very cheerful, and she has nice hair."

"She has nice hair?" Misty echoed, and Ash nodded, but then slapped his face again.

"Well, now that it's short..." He mumbled, but it didn't feel right coming off his tongue.

"So you like girls with short hair?" Misty's eyes narrow, amazed at his shallow preference, and Ash laughed a little

"Well, I did..I do, I guess, I'm not sure—I did like it." He mumbled and then shook his head, as if cue for Misty to move the conversation along.

"So, she supports you in battle, is nice to you, and is a good trainer." Misty raised her fingers as she listed off Ash's likes. "That could summarize almost all of the girls you have ever met."

Ash gasped, genuine fear convecting his eyes. "Does that mean I like them all!?"

Misty face palmed hard, and exhaled. He really was dense. She couldn't even tell if he was being legitimate right now, or was just pulling her leg. "Yes, but there is a difference between liking someone, and liking someone." She used her hands to gesture between the difference emphasis on the 'likes' and looked at Ash. "You get me?"

"Not at all." He grinned, and Misty wasn't sure if he was joking.

"Man, I didn't think I would have to have this talk with you. Can I still opt out?" She joked sarcastically, and Ash nodded seriously.

"Jeez, I'm just kidding." She groaned and cleared her throat, trying to think of a proper example.

"Okay, so, liking someone is like a friendship you have with a pokemon, in which you share a special connection. If need be, you could talk to them about anything—but it's platonic, like Pikachu and Brock." She rubbed her chin, hoping her explanation was correct, and Ash nodded approvingly.

"Right." he grinned like he knew the answer to that question.

"Well, liking someone, is a lot different. It shares nearly all the same aspects of liking someone, but there's more emotion involved. For example, butterfrees in your stomach, or feeling light headed. It's not the best example, but Brock's infatuation with all females is a form of liking someone. It makes you irrational, and sometimes drowsy—occasionally sick to your stomach." She looked up to the clouds, as if asking them to help herself explain, and also drawing from her previous feelings, as well as what her sisters had told her. Ash followed along with what she said with a nod.

"Some people act rash to hide the confusing emotions, and occasionally go as far as to drive a person crazy. But, it's not all about reactive emotions, it's about something deeper—something I'm afraid I can't explain very well..." She stammered off and surprisingly, Ash, who was looking up at the clouds as well chimed in.

"It's something you don't feel for anyone else. It's special."

Misty stared at him for a moment and then nodded. "I guess that's one way of looking at it." She coughed awkwardly and then Ash stared at her again.

"So, how would feelings change form liking someone to liking someone?"

Misty's eyebrows quirked and she hummed low, folding her arms in thought. "Well, since I'm the expert...I can only deduce that... I have no idea!" she stuck out her tongue nervously, and Ash's face fell, hitting the railing.

"What do you mean?" He groaned, and Misty shrugged.

"It's complicated, and different for everyone. Sometimes the reason a person will have for liking someone is completely farfetched, it can start from something as simple as accidentally bumping into each other, to reoccurring kind gestures. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is different when they realize they like someone." She paused for effect, and then squinted; before smiling. She wanted to place her hand over her heart; but felt that was too emotional, so instead a very light blush covered her cheeks, and she refused to make eye contact with Ash.

"For some people, like Serena, who likes you very much, it happens young—and it retains; for other people, it's not as obvious. You can be around the same person every day and never realize how much they mean to you until that person is gone. It's like, if you imagined never seeing that person again, it would leave a giant hole in your chest, as if you would never be able to breathe again. It's a bond, an attachment—something that is spoken without words. But... the feeling is different for everyone, so I can't help you there." She grinned at him, having been able to finally expel her own emotional baggage without actually admitting anything to Ash. He stared at her in awe, but she didn't think anything of it.

"Over all, I think it's about feeling like no one else in the world can make you feel like the person you like does. But...If you ever read those romance novels I gave to you, you wouldn't need me explaining this."

"That sounds like a lot of girly stuff." Ash was grinning at her, as if he knew something that she didn't, and she couldn't help her embarrassed blush, and low growl. She hit him upside the head impulsively.

"This coming from someone who doesn't know ANYTHING about romance?!" She screamed and Ash put up his arms in defense.

"Sorry, princess, please continue."

She groaned at the mock, "Well, I don't know how else to continue—have you figured it out yourself? How do you feel about Serena? Does she make your knees weak? Can you imagine your life without her?" she was half mocking him while she spoke; but Ash was serious business and she could see the sadness reflected in his eyes.

Ash was silent for a moment, "Well, I can't imagine a life without her as my friend...but I can't imagine a life with her either... That was the mistake my parents made, I think. That's why my dad..." He trailed off, and Misty gave him a very, very worried look; Ash never talks about his dad, and when he does, it's usually in moments of great sadness, like when he lost the indigo league the first time.

"Ash, you're not your dad; you're not getting married or anything—so what's wrong with dating just to see where it goes?"

"Because that's not fair to her."

Misty eyed him. He was so damn noble to the point of beating himself this much about it. He must have had a heroism bone in his body the size of the entire Kanto region. Misty's eyebrow twitched aggressively.

"You're going to make me say it; aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" He was blushing, and Misty let her hand out toward the field, and expressed an all knowing sigh.

"You can't like someone just because they like you, it doesn't work like that. Just because she likes you, doesn't mean you have to return the favor. That's not how it works." She touches her forehead with two fingers, and looks at Ash, who's eyes are slightly watered, and she pats him on the back for the last time as they both look into the open field behind his house.

"I want to like her, and I feel like I should...I just...I don't know. There's rocks in my stomach." he laughs, and Misty rubs his back, which makes the rocks go away, at least for a short moment. He kept referencing rocks; Misty had half the mind to mention maybe going to go see a doctor—what a skewed reference for anything, she thought.

"Well. I don't know what else to say to help." Misty tucked a lose strand of hair out of her face, an action Ash was surprised he noticed. "Ash...just... just be aware of what you do next. You could really hurt someone if you're not careful." She tried to emphasis something, and Ash stared at her solid, giving it some thought before he answered next.

"What you said helped a lot, thank you, Mist." He smiled at her; and a blush trickled over her face, her heart expanded and she couldn't take it, so she put her hand in his face, and knocked him backwards.

"What was that for?!" he groaned for the third time in a thirty minute period

"I don't know?!" She screamed back and then laughed. He pouted for awhile, but her laughter was contagious, and so he laughed as well.

"I'm not going to lie—regardless of me being a jerk earlier; it's nice having you around again, Mist—I don't think I've ever met anyone else who can knock me on my ass like that." he laughed while she helped him up.

"I know, how did you ever survive without me?" Misty speaks, Ash chuckles and dusts himself off.

"With a lot less bruises."

"Oh har har." She released his hand moments after he was standing, and then grabbed the bottle of champagne and handed it to Ash. He stared down at it in confusion.

"This was for me?"

"Of course." Misty retorted, also handing him the glass. "A victory drink, you're supposed to give a speech—didn't I mention that earlier?"

He deadpanned: "I thought you were joking."

"Of course not."

"So you knew I was out here the whole time?"

"Well, no, I knew you were somewhere around here; not here here specifically though. May and I talked it over before I followed you, we think you should give a speech." She said with such an expression that Ash couldn't help but let out soft chuckle.

Her expression softened shortly after, "She also said that whatever was wrong between us we should work it out." She half grunted, and Ash looked at his feet.

"I think we did." He said, thinking only about the event with Gary. So long as she didn't start putting her tongue down Oak's throat; he didn't think they would have an issue. Misty didn't seem to catch onto this thought however, letting out a soft gesture.

"Friends?" She asked, extending her hand for a shake. Ash grinned up at her with a look of adoration.

"The best."